The rules regarding tag requirements do not seem to be very well understood. Hopefully this brief article will guide you as to who needs what, when and where.
Historically all cattle and deer more than one month old, being moved to another herd or property needed both a:
1. Primary tag: bar-coded tag with AHB or MINDA number and a
2. Secondary tag: plastic ID tag or a brass tag.
Animals going directly to slaughter needed only a primary tag or a direct-to-slaughter tag which are issued by meat processing companies.
The rules have now changed.
From now until 1st November 2011, animals being moved to another herd or property need a:
1. Primary tag: bar-coded tag with AHB or MINDA number (has not changed) and a
2. Secondary tag: brass tag, ID tag or a RFID. It is optional to use an RFID for this but by 1 November 2014, all capital stock must have a RFID.
Animals going directly to slaughter need only a primary tag or a direct-to-slaughter tag.
From the 1st November 2011, all calves born must be tagged with a RFID tag before their first off-farm movement or within 180 days of birth, whichever is sooner. The exception is bobby calves less than 30 days old going directly to slaughter which require a direct-to-slaughter tag. Feeder calves moving off-farm do require RFID tags.
Any other cattle being moved to another herd or property, or going to slaughter must have a RFID tag. Capital stock remaining on the farm have an exemption period until 1st November 2014, at which time they must have a RFID tag.
The requirements are similar for deer but are delayed by a year.
Tag application must be in the middle or inside right ear with the female portion facing forward. This is to minimise tag losses. The universal red applicators can be used but the black ‘jaw insert' where the female portion sits must be removed.
